To do what is right and just is more acceptable to the Lord than sacrifice. | To do righteousness and justice is more acceptable to Yahweh than sacrifice. |
One who gossips reveals secrets, but a trustworthy man keeps things hidden. | One who brings gossip betrays a confidence, but one who is of a trustworthy spirit is one who keeps a secret. |
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The whispers of a gossiper are tasty morsels that corrode one’s inner being. | The words of a gossip are like dainty morsels: they go down into a person’s innermost parts. |
Righteousness is a sign of a nation’s greatness, but sin degrades any people. | Righteousness exalts a nation, but sin is a disgrace to any people. |
Some friends can lead us to ruin, but a true friend is closer than a brother. | A man of many companions may be ruined, but there is a friend who sticks closer than a brother. |
Acquire wisdom and gain understanding; never forget or turn aside from my words. | Get wisdom. Get understanding. Don’t forget, and don’t deviate from the words of my mouth. |
Do not swerve either to the right or to the left; keep your foot far from evil. | Don’t turn to the right hand nor to the left. Remove your foot from evil. |
A fool spurns his father’s correction, but whoever heeds admonition is prudent. | A fool despises his father’s correction, but he who heeds reproof shows prudence. |
Observe your father’s command, my son, and do not reject your mother’s teaching. | My son, keep your father’s commandment, and don’t forsake your mother’s teaching. |
Fine words are not becoming to a fool, and much less are false words to a noble. | Excellent speech isn’t fitting for a fool, much less do lying lips fit a prince. |
A fool gives free rein to his anger, but a wise man bides his time and calms it. | A fool vents all of his anger, but a wise man brings himself under control. |
Blessed is the person who has found wisdom, the one who has gained understanding. | Happy is the man who finds wisdom, the man who gets understanding. |
A wise son brings joy to his father, but a foolish son gives grief to his mother. | A wise son makes a glad father; but a foolish son brings grief to his mother. |
The blessing of the Lord is what brings wealth, and our toil adds nothing to it. | Yahweh’s blessing brings wealth, and he adds no trouble to it. |
A cheerful heart is excellent medicine, but a crushed spirit dries up the bones. | A cheerful heart makes good medicine, but a crushed spirit dries up the bones. |
A man is haughty until disaster overtakes him, but humility comes before honors. | Before destruction the heart of man is proud, but before honor is humility. |
Diligent labor always yields profit, but idle conversation only leads to poverty. | In all hard work there is profit, but the talk of the lips leads only to poverty. |
The righteous is remembered with blessings, but the name of the wicked fades away. | The memory of the righteous is blessed, but the name of the wicked will rot. |
Whoever observes the commandments will live, but the one who scorns them will die. | He who keeps the commandment keeps his soul, but he who is contemptuous in his ways shall die. |
A man’s attraction is his kindness; it is far better to be poor than to be a liar. | That which makes a man to be desired is his kindness. A poor man is better than a liar. |
Grandchildren are the crown of the aged, and the glory of children is their parents. | Children’s children are the crown of old men; the glory of children is their parents. |
A generous person will be enriched; he who refreshes others will also be refreshed. | The liberal soul shall be made fat. He who waters shall be watered also himself. |
Do not wear yourself out in the pursuit of wealth, and cease even to think about it. | Don’t weary yourself to be rich. In your wisdom, show restraint. |
It is rash to pledge a sacred gift, or to make a vow and then have second thoughts. | It is a snare to a man to make a rash dedication, then later to consider his vows. |
The way of the Lord is a stronghold for the upright, but destruction for evildoers. | The way of Yahweh is a stronghold to the upright, but it is a destruction to the workers of iniquity. |